Fairfax, VA Erb's Palsy Attorney

Experienced Erb’s Palsy Birth Injury Lawyers Advocating for Families in Fairfax, Virginia

While many children are born without serious complications during childbirth, there are some cases where birth injuries can affect the health and well-being of children for years to come. In some cases, brachial plexus injuries may occur during deliveries, and they can result in Erb's palsy, a condition that may affect a child's ability to use their body and their overall health. When these injuries occur because of medical negligence, families will need to understand their legal options for obtaining financial compensation.

At Shevlin Smith, P.C., our lawyer can provide families with honest answers about the steps they can take to address the harm a child has suffered because of negligence during childbirth. He provides each client with personal attention to ensure that they understand what they can do to obtain compensation that will help them address the ongoing needs of a child who has suffered an injury. He will review what happened during labor and delivery, identify negligence that caused a child to suffer harm, and work to hold the liable parties responsible for the harm a family has suffered.

Understanding Brachial Plexus Injuries

The brachial plexus is a network of nerves in the neck, upper chest region, shoulder, and arm. These nerves carry the signals that control movement and sensation throughout the arm, forearm, and hand. Damage to the brachial plexus may affect a person's ability to raise their arm, bend their elbow, grip objects with their hand, and feel sensations in their fingers.

Because the brachial plexus passes through a relatively narrow passage between the neck and shoulder, it may be injured when excessive force is placed on these areas. The stretching or compression that can occur during a difficult delivery can injure nerves in the brachial plexus, and these injuries can have long-lasting effects.

Brachial Plexus Injuries Leading to Erb's Palsy

In some cases, damage to the nerves in the brachial plexus can lead to a condition known as Erb's palsy. This condition may affect motor functions in the arm, wrist, and hand. In milder cases, a child may be able to maintain some control over the affected arm and hand, and their condition may improve with physical and occupational therapy. In more severe cases, a child may experience extensive, permanent impairments that affect their ability to raise their arm, rotate their shoulder, flex their elbow, and perform tasks with their hand.

Shoulder Dystocia and Brachial Plexus Injuries

The most common cause of brachial plexus injuries during delivery is shoulder dystocia. This is an issue that can occur when one or both of a baby's shoulders become lodged in the birth canal, preventing the child from being delivered normally. This issue can be life-threatening in some cases, since it may result in compression of the umbilical cord or other issues that cause oxygen deprivation.

When shoulder dystocia occurs, a delivery team will often need to act quickly to ensure that a child can be delivered safely. Certain maneuvers may be performed to dislodge the child's shoulders. However, if too much force is used during these procedures, pressure on the baby's head and shoulders may lead to brachial plexus injuries. When a child's head is pulled to one side, this may stretch the brachial plexus nerves, causing them to tear or rupture.

In some cases, obstetricians may not use tools like forceps or vacuum extractors correctly. They may use these tools with too much force, or they may pull a baby's head or shoulders in unnatural directions. These issues can lead to brachial plexus injuries and Erb's palsy. Injuries may also occur when doctors attempt breech deliveries or when prolonged labor places excessive stress on a child's body.

How Erb's Palsy May Affect a Child

The impact that Erb's palsy may have on a child's life will depend on the severity of the nerve injuries that have occurred. In mild to moderate cases, a child may be able to regain function in their shoulder, arm, and hand during the first few years of their life. Regular physical and occupational therapy will be needed to make sure a child can maintain the correct range of motion, while preventing muscles from tightening or contracting.

In more severe cases, a child's ability to recover motion and use of their arm may be limited. In some cases, reconstructive surgery may be performed to repair the injured nerves. However, even with surgery, a full recovery may not be possible. A child may be able to regain some function in the shoulder and arm, but their ability to use their hand may be limited, or they may experience weakness that will continue to affect them throughout their life.

The limitations that may affect a child due to Erb's palsy may last throughout their childhood and into adulthood. Multiple types of daily activities may be affected. A child may be unable to raise their arm above the shoulder, reach behind their back, fully rotate their shoulder, or fully use their hand. Activities that require strength or fine motor control may be limited or impossible. These limitations can affect a child's ability to participate in sports and recreational activities, complete tasks at school, or work in certain jobs as an adult.

Erb's palsy can also lead to chronic pain that may continue to affect a child throughout their life. Pain in the shoulder and arm may occur due to injured nerves, and joint pain may also occur due to the inability to fully use the elbows, wrists, and hands. The psychological impact of living with Erb's palsy can also be profound, and mental health treatment may be needed during childhood and adulthood.

Contact Our Fairfax, Virginia Erb's Palsy Injury Lawyer

A diagnosis of Erb's palsy may be an indication that a brachial plexus injury occurred due to negligence during childbirth. At Shevlin Smith, P.C., our lawyer can help families determine how to address injuries that have affected a child's health and well-being, and he will take steps to obtain financial compensation that can be used to provide care throughout a child's life. Contact our Fairfax brachial plexus injury attorney at 703-591-0067 to arrange a free consultation.